Page 3 of Welcome Home to Ivy Falls

‘Well, shit,’ she hissed through her teeth. ‘That’s like putting dog poo frosting on a pretty cake.’

I laughed, which I needed, because things at the house were thirty steps past tense. It was another reason I needed to find a place of my own. I was twenty-seven and should not be living in my brother’s house.

‘Are you still thinking about moving out?’

Since we were little girls playing dress-up and having imaginary tea parties, Maisey has had the keen ability to read my mind, understand my inner turmoil. It was unnerving at times.

‘Yes. I’ve been saving up for a while, and I’m still getting money from the trust my parents left for me.’

She swirled the straw around in her drink while I went back to washing glasses. ‘Joe’s boss renovated those two apartments above the law practice to bring in extra income. I could ask what the rent’s like.’

‘That would be great.’

She tapped her fingers against the counter. Took another gulp of tea. ‘I know I say this a lot, but I’m so glad you’re home,’ she sniffled.

‘Don’t get all weepy, Maise. I swear I’m not going anywhere.’

‘I know.’ She wiped at her cheeks. ‘Sorry. I’m exhausted because my body hasn’t quite figured out how to deal with the kids not sleeping in the afternoon.’

She took another long pull on her drink, draining it down to the bottom again.

‘Want another?’

‘Sure. I’m going to take my time before I have to go home.’

Silvio called to me across the room and pointed to his empty glass. As I started another drink for him, Old Mrs Vanderpool rushed to the counter.

‘Piper, can you please make that a decaf? Dr Sheridan says Silvio needs to cut down on caffeine because of his high blood pressure.’

‘Don’t you think he’ll notice?’ I said.

She gave a lazy wave. ‘He likes the foam and sugar more than the caffeine.’

Maisey chuckled as I agreed to the request.

Old Mrs V hovered near the bar, her lips twitching like she had more to say. ‘You going to see Miss Cheri this week?’

‘Yes, but I’d bet ten bucks you already knew that.’

That made Maisey chuckle again.

‘Well, good,’ Old Mrs V said gruffly. ‘You be sure to tell her your thoughts. How you can bring a fresh set of ideas to the show.’

Ever since I’d expressed interest in the volunteer director position for the theater’s upcoming production of Mary Poppins Jr., Miss Cheri, who managed the theater, and Old Mrs Vanderpool had been hounding me about it. When I first came back to Ivy Falls after rehab, people gave me those lingering, worried stares. Nothing was a secret here. Pretty much everyone knew I’d been the cause of the destruction of the Huckleberry Lane house, which almost cost Torran, Beck and Manny everything.

Old Mrs Vanderpool never gave me those judgy looks though. Instead she quizzed me about my jobs, and later about my interest in the theater, even commenting on how she’d loved the shows I’d been in as a child.

She leaned in as if her authoritarian voice could somehow be contained. ‘You’ve got this, hon. I see something special in you. The town will soon see it too.’

Maisey nodded along even as Old Mrs Vanderpool huffed at her eavesdropping.

‘Thank you,’ I said quietly. ‘Let’s just see how the meeting goes.’

She gave another quick glance in Silvio’s direction before scurrying back to her meeting.

‘Isn’t she laying it on a bit thick?’ Maisey said.

‘She was close to my parents when they lived here. Since I’ve been home, she’s been kind, like she thinks I need another person in my corner. Which is nice, because I’m pretty sure most of the ugly stares I got when I first came back have all but disappeared thanks to her.’